April 3 coronavirus update for businesses

Blackpool airport ready to respon to crisis

A group of 11 aircraft, 22 pilots and 4 operational support volunteers based at Blackpool Airport is ready to help deploy critical medication and equipment should there be a rapid change of hospital admissions and where timing is of the essence.

The airport becomes the first in the north west to volunteer, and the group includes airliner pilots who are currently grounded. They join, Sky Watch UK Civil Air Patrol (UKCAP), a registered charity comprising pilots, observers and supporters who provide air support to organisations and communities. UKCAP is working with the miliatary, police, maritime organisations, NHS and Public Health England to coordinate a response should further help be required.

Simon Menzies, CEO of Hangar Three Blackpool Ltd, based at Blackpool Airport and local NW coordinator for UKCAP, said: “Our Local Task Force at Blackpool Airport is ready and willing to be deployed to help the local community in any way we can. The airport remains open for business with an operational resilience plan in place to maintain continuity of operations for crucial services such as the offshore helicopter flights, the NW Air Ambulance Service, MEDEVAC, repatriation flights and other logistical support flights, whilst safeguarding all staff and crew members."

Resilience Forum thanks businesses for support

The Lancashire Resilience Forum, which is coordinating the county's response to the Coronavirus pandemic has thanked people for their offers of support which has benefited more than 1,000 key workers so far.

Accommodation has been provided by Myerscough College, Stirk House at Gisburn, Edge Hill University at Ormskirk, Mytton Fold Hotel at Langho, The Old Stone Trough Country Lodge at Kelbrook, Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa at Clayton-le-Moors, HY hotels on the Fylde and the Lindum Hotel in Lytham St Anne's. This will help by providing workers from the emergency services with a safe space, in the event they can't return home due to family self-isolating.

Garry Payne, chief executive of Wyre Borough Council and spokesperson for the Lancashire Resilience Forum, said: "Lots of offers have already come in, and we really appreciate them and we give our thanks to those companies. More accommodation is likely to be needed in the future, if conditions change. So we're asking people to think about whether their business could also help the efforts.

"We'd like to hear from businesses who have available space to accommodate workers, and are happy to lend a hand to people who are doing amazing jobs during this difficult and unprecedented time. This is about us doing what we can to support them."

Chamber and PM+M host cashflow crisis seminar

PM+M, the chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group, is joining forces with East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and will be staging a free webinar between 10.30 and 11.30am on Wednesday 8th April that will help local businesses manage their cashflow during the Coronavirus crisis.

David Gorton, partner at PM+M, will share his expertise on the measures that are open to businesses owners. He will cover the various financial support options offered by the government as well as the independent actions owner managed businesses can take to keep control of their finances and keep their firms afloat. David will also be answering specific questions direct from webinar attendees.

David said: “Covid-19 has changed everything in an incredibly short space of time. Businesses that were deemed in good shape just a few weeks ago are facing potential ruin through no fault of their own. However, there are positive steps that companies can take and managing their cash is one of the most important. We want this webinar to provide practical information and tips that people can implement right away. The ultimate aim is to help businesses navigate the immediate future and be in the best shape possible for when the world changes again and the lockdown ends.”

The webinar is part of the Chamber’s ChamberLIVE series of regular interactive online events that are designed to support firms come through the Coronavirus crisis.